Are you planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park and wondering where to stay? Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge are two popular options for visitors.
But which one is better? Let’s take a closer look.
Location
Both Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge are located inside Shenandoah National Park. However, their locations within the park are different.
Skyland Resort is located at mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive. It’s situated at the highest point on the drive, offering stunning views of the park. From here, you can easily access popular hiking trails like Stony Man, Little Stony Man, and Hawksbill Summit.
Big Meadows Lodge is located at mile 51 in the center of the park. It’s surrounded by beautiful meadows and forests and offers easy access to popular attractions like Dark Hollow Falls, Rose River Falls, and Bearfence Mountain.
Accommodations
Both Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge offer a range of accommodations to suit different needs and budgets.
Skyland Resort has rooms in the main lodge as well as cabins and suites. The rooms in the main lodge are comfortable but basic with no TVs or air conditioning.
The cabins are more rustic with wood-burning fireplaces but no phones or TVs. The suites offer more space and amenities like Jacuzzi tubs.
Big Meadows Lodge offers rooms in the main lodge as well as cabins. The rooms in the main lodge are comfortable with TVs but no air conditioning. The cabins are rustic with wood-burning fireplaces but no phones or TVs.
Dining
Both Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge have on-site dining options.
Skyland Resort has two restaurants – Pollock Dining Room which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Mountain Taproom which serves casual fare like burgers, sandwiches, and beer.
Big Meadows Lodge has two restaurants – Spottswood Dining Room which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and New Market Taproom which serves casual fare like pizza, burgers, and beer.
Activities
Both Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge offer a range of activities for guests to enjoy.
Skyland Resort offers guided hikes, stargazing programs, and horseback riding. There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs.
Big Meadows Lodge offers guided hikes, ranger-led programs, and evening campfires.
Conclusion
So which one is better – Skyland Resort or Big Meadows Lodge? It really depends on what you’re looking for in your accommodations.
If you want stunning views and easy access to popular hiking trails, then Skyland Resort is the better choice. If you want to be in the center of the park with easy access to popular attractions and activities like ranger-led programs and campfires, then Big Meadows Lodge is the better choice.
Ultimately, both Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Lodge offer comfortable accommodations in beautiful settings within Shenandoah National Park. You can’t go wrong with either one!